Zambales is known for its beautiful coastline that can easily charm any beach bum and is a go-to province as soon as summertime starts waving.
Masinloc, a coastal municipality in Zambales, is also known for its sweet mangoes, which is a source of income for the locals. Soon, tourists and locals alike will witness the booming of another industry with the groundbreaking of a Dairy Box outlet and processing facility in said town, yesterday, April 4.
Dairy Box is an infrastructure support for smallholder dairy farmers designed to provide them with an opportunity to gain access to the commercial market for greater income.
Atty. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Representative of the 2nd District of Zambales, immediately thought of the Masinloc to be the recipient of the project because of the vibrant economic activities in the town and for the capability of its local government to sustain community-based livelihood projects for its citizens.
Initially, the Dairy Box was supposed to be built near the public wet market but Masinloc Municipal Mayor Arsenia Lim finally decided that such project that could potentially be a come-on for more tourists should be raised along the baywalk.
“When I saw the design, I immediately recommended the baywalk to be the location because the theme of the shop complements the ambiance,” Mayor Lim said.
The project will be operated by the Masinloc Farmers Agriculture Cooperative while the LGU and the DA-PCC will be providing technical training and assistance at the onset of its operation.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ericson Dela Cruz, Center Director of PCC at CLSU, said this is just the beginning of a meaningful partnership between DA-PCC, the LGU, and the local farmers of Masinloc.
A MOA signing was held at the Masinloc Municipal Hall prior to the groudbreaking ceremonies. This was joined by Congresswoman Montalla, DA-PCC Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Dr. Claro Mingala, co-op chairperson Hermenegildo Manglicmot, and Dr. Dela Cruz.
The establishment of a Dairy Box is one of the components under the Carabao-based Business Improvement Network (CBIN) project funded by the Office of Senator Cynthia Villar. The CBIN aims to propel an inclusive, sustainable, and highly competitive local dairy industry.
